Peer Specialist (BHCC) - Nights

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems•Athens-Clarke County, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the Peer Specialist provides paraprofessional support to participants receiving Behavioral Health Crisis Services. The role includes one-on-one recovery coaching, participation in treatment-team planning, group skills training and education, and documenting client interactions in the electronic health record (EHR). The position is located at the Athens-Clarke Pavilion in Athens, Georgia, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Peer Specialist uses lived experience in recovery to support clients’ strengths, goals, wellness, and recovery. The role works with clients and treatment teams to identify needs, develop and review treatment plans, connect clients with community resources, and monitor progress. The specialist follows applicable confidentiality and ethical standards, maintains professional boundaries and required credentials, and completes required training and same-day documentation.

Requirements

Have a diagnosis of mental illness, addiction, or both, and a strong desire to identify as a person with mental illness and a current or former consumer of mental health services.
Hold a GED or high school diploma and be at least 18 years of age.
Have demonstrated experience with leadership, advocacy, or governance and be well grounded in recovery, consistent with CPS and CPS-AD/CARES guidelines.
Be a certified Peer Specialist or CARES to retain the position.
Commit to working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and be willing to provide treatment to clients in their homes and other community settings.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related social services field.

Responsibilities

Provide individual recovery coaching using Motivational Interviewing techniques and support multiple pathways to recovery.
Use lived experience to help clients develop skills and identify individualized goals based on their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
Help clients identify and connect with community resources that support recovery.
Document individual and group interactions and client progress in the EHR by the close of business on the same day of service.
Comply with client confidentiality requirements and departmental policy.
Complete treatment plan reviews and updates with clients and, when appropriate consents are in place, family members, significant others, and community agencies.
Attend treatment-team meetings and participate in developing and updating treatment plans with clients and the treatment team.
Help clients and the team identify group activities based on assessed needs, and provide group skills training and education sessions using evidence-based curricula.
Attend training on evidence-based group training modalities.
Provide emotional support, encouragement, and coaching, and assist clients with problem resolution.
Refer clients to a clinician or team leader for services or discussions outside the scope of peer specialist coaching.
Monitor client progress toward treatment goals and help clients self-monitor goals and steps toward achieving them.
Communicate appropriate information about client progress to the treatment team and contribute to developing and maintaining community contacts.
Maintain required credentials, attend necessary training, and maintain continuing education for Peer Certification as CPS-MH or CPS-AD/CARES.
Attend community seminars and meetings when scheduling permits and the supervisor approves.
Follow the ethical code of conduct and maintain appropriate boundaries.
Maintain current knowledge through reading relevant materials.
Complete required agency EHR training and obtain supervisor second signatures on documentation as directed.